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Collecting McCoy Pottery: Some Tips from a McCoy Lover

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I’m trying to remember what, exactly, triggered my need to collect McCoy pottery. I’m usually pretty good at remembering that kind of thing…something tells me it might have been a photo or two in a magazine. I’d seen it before, of course, in antique shops and tag sales. Funny, isn’t it? You can see something fairly frequently and virtually ignore it and then suddenly you see it with fresh eyes and pow! You’re gone.

Initially, I was drawn to the colors: aqua, pink, yellow, sea-foam green, cream. Wonderful sherbety colors. Then I fell for the birds, which are often found on McCoy pieces, like this Arcature vase.

And on this whimsical cuckoo clock wall pocket.

I’ve lost count of just how many pieces I own – well over 60, I would think.

Here’s the wonderful thing about collecting McCoy pottery: it’s still fairly inexpensive. Occasionally I’ll run across a piece that is rare and, therefore, pricier. Or, I’ll run across some pieces that are ridiculously marked up in price, as I wrote about in this post. But, for the most part, there are lots of pieces out there. McCoy was very moderately priced in its heyday and made its way into countless American households.

Where to search for McCoy Pottery

1. eBay – I admit it. I found a lot of my pieces on eBay, especially when I first started collecting. There are tons of listings each and every day, with a wide variety of prices. Compare prices – if a certain style has multiple listings, chances are you will be able to get one of them for a song. I’ve had good luck with eBay and have found sellers to be very honest about condition and flaws.
2. Antique/collectible shops: Seldom do I wander into a shop where I do not see a piece of McCoy. Now, I concentrate on a specific area of McCoy’s pottery. So I’m a bit more particular in my choices. But McCoy designed and produced lots of different lines of pottery and there should be something out there for every taste. I found this very early Nelson McCoy water pitcher when I was on a coaching job in Owensboro, Kentucky. There it was, hidden away on a shelf, a bit worse for wear, but collectible nonetheless.
I found this planting dish in one of my favorite shops in San Diego. I also have the same dish in aqua.
3. Resale shops, like Goodwill or the Salvation Army:  You’d be surprised how often someone’s grandmother decides to get rid of all those old planters and pots collecting dust in the garage. And they usually end up at the Goodwill. I have less luck with this kind of shop because the ones in my area of the country are pretty pathetic. I don’t seem to find the deals that bloggers in other parts of the country encounter. But I know they’re out there.
4. Garage sales, tag sales, estate sales: I’ve found some nice pieces at garage sales. And the prices are usually very cheap – you can bargain a little or a lot and get a piece for a song.
5. Auctions: There was some McCoy up for auction at my favorite auction house the other night. I couldn’t make it to the auction, darn it. I’ve found several pieces at auction, along with other wonderful designs, like some of my Roseville. You can usually get a great deal at auction. It all depends on the night (or day) and who your bidding competitors are.
6. As gifts from friends and family: one of my favorite ways to accumulate McCoy. Tell your friends and family members that you’ve begun a collection and that, if they are so inclined, McCoy would be the perfect birthday or Christmas present. I’ve received pieces as gifts from my husband and from friends, like Heidi and Brenda.
If you’re interested in learning more about McCoy pottery, there are several different price guides out there which are regularly updated and are full of helpful information. I have several of them and they have been invaluable to me. The prices listed are for mint condition pieces, so if you are particular about condition, these guidelines will be right up your alley. I’m fairly particular but not always. That Nelson McCoy water pitcher I referenced earlier in this post is fairly rare and it has a few nicks and chips. In this case, I felt it added to the patina of the piece and I was more interested in owning this hard-to-find piece than I was in the odd ding.
I love this pottery so much that it inspired many of the colors I use in the decoration of my home, starting with that perfect McCoy Aqua. My living room and kitchen are done in McCoy colors, with the additional splash of red. So is my studio. And my bedroom.
See? You never know what might happen when you fall in love with something and just have to collect it. You might end up re-thinking everything!
Happy Wednesday.

Comments

  1. There are several pieces of McCoy in my home too. I’ve had them for years because I loved the color and shape of them. I didn’t know they were collectibles until I went to an auction. Most of mine are old and have what you call patina ~ just like me. Have an awesome day.

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  3. Oh Claudia – one of the things I like about your blog are the drool worthy photos of McCoy. I LOVE McCoy and have been idly collecting it for about 15 years. (I only buy it if it is cheap cheap so I only have a few pieces) I did find a piece last week at a flea market in aqua. Now that I am attending auctions – I have to keep my eye out for some bargains. J

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  4. Eeeek!!! I love your McCoy collection so much, especially those beautiful tall vases. The swallow also is such a beautiful accent to McCoy. Auctions are too intimidating for me! But you are right about the thrift shops, there is a good chance of finding collectible pottery of all kinds there. Your McCoy collection is truly enviable and beautiful!! Your photos make it truly shine.

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  6. So speaking as the woman who still has boxes and boxes of Medalta treasures in her basement…sigh.

    My Dad was a collector of Medalta, which is Canadian, fitting of course, and somewhat like McCoy.

    I just don’t have the room right now to have it all out there on show, so I rotate my colors, yes, I can do that I suppose, because even after he sold his collection, I still had so much. LOL.

    I love the line you wrote regarding how you can see something forever, and then finally fall in love with it.

    Jen @ Muddy Boot Dreams

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  7. I also love McCoy pottery pieces! However, I do not own any just yet. I am still on the hunt. I love the colors!!! You have quite a good collection!!!
    XO Kris

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  8. Good advice Claudia! I love pottery and have collected it for many years. No one maker though. I have very few McCoy pieces but they do catch my eye, just most of the time too pricey for me. Still looking…maybe on my next adventure I’ll find one! Hugs, Linda

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  10. I adore McCoy too and have found it at Goodwill,flea markets, and garage sales here. I am nearly out of space but could always find some for a McCoy. Lovely detailed post Claudia.

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  11. “Funny, isn’t it? You can see something fairly frequently and virtually ignore it and then suddenly you see it with fresh eyes and pow! You’re gone.”

    So true! That’s how it is with me and a lot of knit and crochet patterns. They might be nice and all, but then someone will post their version in a certain color or paired with a certain outfit, and suddenly I must have it, too!

    Thanks for sharing your unique collection.

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  13. I need two houses right next door to each other! I love the colorful cottage style that incorporates McCoy pottery so well, and I love a spare farmhouse style with lots of white. The pastels are gorgeous, and the birds are so sweet. You have a very nice collection. Of course it’s kind of your signature. I think of your blog whenever I see an aqua piece when I’m out and about.

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  14. Hi Claudia, great collection of McCoy, love it. I found a few pieces at the Thrift stores for 50 cents, thats I began a love affair with McCoy pottery. Thanks for sharing,Francine.

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  15. I am with you on the McCoy! I think when I very first “met” you in Bloglandia, you did a post on McCoy that I loved.
    You must have a gorgeous collection, judging by the ones you have shared. I adore McCoy color, it has a certain quality to it that just really gets me.
    I am drooling over the aqua planter with that sweet bird!
    Hugs,
    Terri

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  16. Since I live in “pottery capital of the world” where this pottery originated I see it everywhere in the antique stores around town. As a matter of fact, I was out antiquing with my best friend from St Louis who came to visit me for my birthday this past weekend and McCoy was everywhere! You have a beautiful collection Claudia! ~Hugs, Patti

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  17. Hi Claudia, You have a lovely McCoy collection! I’m sure you have researched all of your pieces and have developed an eye for the real McCoy. I never even knew about McCoy pottery until I began reading your blog. I’ve seen many different pieces at antique stores and antique malls. I bought a couple little pieces of McCoy but I think mine are knock- offs.

    Here is an interesting website about McCoy that you might like. I love the way you incorporated the colors of your pieces into your decor. Your home is lovely and very inviting.

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  20. I’ve always loved McCoy too, Claudia. I can remember when it was very pricey about 15 years ago. Like most things, its popularity is cyclical. Now is a great time to find pieces at good prices. Great for those of us who love it.
    xo
    Laura

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  21. There is just something about McCoy! I love seeing your collection! I enjoy my pieces so much and it has inspired the way I decorate my home. The aqua is what originally called to me and then I started adding pink and yellow in as accents. They are just lovely together. Thanks for the post. Twyla

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  22. Claudia, I love your McCoy collection!! I, too, collect McCoy, but I only collect the cream color. I just love the look of a bunch of it all together in an arrangement. Will send you a picture sometime of my collection.

    Have a good day.

    Judy

    Reply

  23. You have so many wonderful pieces of McCoy. I especially love that aqua color. And also admire the ones with a leafy design. I run into Shawnee pieces fairly often and will pick them up from time to time. My Mom has a few of the Roseville. It’s all such fun pottery, and it’s nice that it’s still affordable.

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